March 6, 1945 – Dec. 5, 2022
Thomas Higgins, Jr., 77, rural Minot, ND, formerly of Lansford, ND, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022, at Trinity Hospital in Minot.
Thomas Wyndham Higgins, Jr. was born on March 6, 1945, to Thomas Wyndham Higgins, Sr. and Grace (Uren) Higgins, in Nanticoke, PA. He was raised and educated in Nanticoke. Following his high school graduation, Tom worked for the Atwater Throwing Co. in Wilkes-Barre, PA, before joining the United States Air Force in September of 1963.
After completing basic training, he was stationed in Plattsburgh, NY, where he met Alice Shepard. They were married in 1966. In 1969, Tom was assigned to air freight duties at Chu Lai, which operated out of Da Nang in Vietnam. He was reassigned back to Plattsburgh in 1970.
In 1972, Tom and Alice had a son, Jason Higgins. The young family was assigned to Castle Air Force Base in California in 1975. After being cross-trained in missiles, Tom was assigned to the Minot Air Force Base in 1977, and soon purchased a house in Lansford, ND. Tom retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1984.
In 1985, Tom began working on the RIVET Mile Project as a work leader, becoming supervisor of the project in 1988. In 1990, Alice passed away and Jason graduated from high school. Tom resigned from the RIVET Mile Project in 1993, and moved to Ruthville, ND, shortly thereafter. He began working for Judy Rice as a handyman and part-time bartender. In 2019, Tom married Marlene Skedsvold.
Tom had a love for horses and it showed as he joined friends on trail rides in White Earth, ND and helped with rodeos in Ruthville.
Tom enjoyed fishing at Strawberry Lake in the Turtle Mountains with his son, Jason and his late wife, Alice. He took many fishing trips to Lake Darling with Marlene, while fishing he patiently taught Marlene his tips and tricks to become an expert like him. He was an avid hunter and shared his love for the outdoors with Jason. Tom loved to socialize at the Ruthville Bar with friends and patrons.
Tom is survived by his wife, Marlene Skedsvold, Ruthville; son, Jason Higgins, Sherwood, ND; and Marlene’s sons, Jon Skedsvold, Fargo, ND and Casey Skedsvold, Minot.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Alice.
A graveside service will take place in June, 2023 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).
